Indonesia-Malaysia Co-Productions Surge With Four New Film Projects at JAFF Market

A quartet of Indonesian-Malaysian film co-productions was unveiled at the JAFF Market, signaling an uptick in collaboration between the two Southeast Asian territories.

The projects — “Munafik,” “Khurafat,” “Khadam” and “Badut Gendong” — were announced during a session titled “The Nusantara Wave: The Rise of Indonesia-Malaysia Collaborations” at the event’s Plaza Center Stage. The JAFF Market runs in conjunction with the Jogja-Netpac Asia Film Festival.

“Munafik,” an Indonesian adaptation of Malaysia’s top-grossing horror franchise, has completed principal photography and entered post-production. Helmed by Guntur Soeharjanto and starring Arya Saloka and Acha Septriasa, the project screened a first-look teaser at the event. The production is led by Oswin Bonifanz of Unlimited Productions, with Malaysia’s Skop Productions, Komet Productions and Indonesia’s A&Z Films and Legacy Pictures also producing.

Building on that momentum, an Indonesian version of Malaysian horror-religious film “Khurafat” was also revealed, with Zahir Omar attached to direct. The original, directed by Syamsul Yusof, broke Malaysian box office records. Skop Productions indicated that Indonesian co-producers for the remake will be announced soon.

“Our increasing collaboration with Indonesia’s leading producers and creatives reflects our commitment to working with the very best talent in the region,” said Shamin Yusof, CEO of Skop Productions. “By entrusting two of our biggest franchises, ‘Munafik’ and ‘Khurafat,’ to be reimagined as marquee Indonesian films by top-tier Indonesian filmmakers, we are making a bold statement.”

The event also presented a first look at “Khadam,” a horror-drama currently in post-production featuring Indonesian actor Aghniny Haque and Malaysian star Remy Ishak. Directed by Shamyl Othman, the film is produced by Malaysia’s Komet Productions and Red Communications, China’s Sil-Metropole and India’s Applause Entertainment. A signing ceremony welcomed Indonesia’s Magma Entertainment as executive producer.

“This event is the perfect opportunity to describe what we call the new Nusantara wave, where we can see a marked increase in creative collaboration between our two countries,” said Ahmad Izham Omar, chief explorer of Komet Productions. “There is so much potential for new levels of synergy and quality when we combine talents, ideas and skills from Indonesia and Malaysia.”

The session concluded with a first look at “Badut Gendong,” a co-production between Magma Entertainment, Legacy Pictures, Virtuelines Entertainment, VMS Studio, Caravan Studios and Malaysia’s Komet Productions, Skop Productions, Astro Shaw, plus India’s Applause Entertainment. Directed by Charles Gozali, the film features Marthino Lio, Dayinta Melira, Clara Bernadeth and Derby Romero.

“When different cultures, backgrounds and skillsets come together to create, we will never ever be able to predict the magic that will happen,” said Linda Gozali, CEO of Magma Entertainment. “Magma has a long history of working with Malaysian creatives.”

Dato’ Azmir Mutalib, CEO of Malaysia’s National Film Development Corporation (FINAS), added, “This is a very positive development of co-production efforts between Indonesia and Malaysia. FINAS will always support these types of efforts to increase awareness of the great stories coming out of this region for the world to enjoy.”

The session was also attended by actor Izabel Jahja (who appears in the “Munafik” remake) and Charles Gozali, director of the “Qodrat” franchise.